Fridays Letters

dear weather shape up! I need some nice, sun-shiny (non-rainy) weather Sunday & next Saturday.

dear God the weather isn't co-operating, can You please tweak it for a few hours Sunday & next Saturday? dear work I was really irritated & grumpy yesterday, but you were also the same way, please let tonight be a good night & pleasantly not annoying, thanks. dear free Saturday I just met you and this is crazy lets be really productive maybe? dear God I am begging You for some direction, a map, some answers, something. I'm tired of feeling like I'm living in the dark.

dear friends at some point I will write an actual post, I have some legit ideas, but no time to form those legit ideas into words. dear car (Olivia) I'm starting this thing this week called "pick up my trash when exiting the vehicle" sorry you were a little trashed for a bit. dear fall leaves you are beautiful. dear God thank you for the beauty of each season.
(*I feel like there could be a Biblical analogy, I'll work on it..)
dear self seriously get that funky attitude outta here, ain't no body got time for that! Also why so self conscious? Why so insecre? As a great MAD TV (I think) skit once put it "Don't be insecure gurl, you own that (ponytail)!!" dear H&H thanks girls for the afternoon of photo taking, even though I felt so so so awkward & nervous being photographed.

dawning java

{dawning java}

pretty much the morning coffee, first coffee of the day, virtual coffee.

I love what amy @ Lucky No.13 does on Tuesdays.

Virtual coffee, a time where she shares her heart or just what is going on in her life...

as though you are sitting down for coffee with her.

Now me being me, I love the idea but I don't want to steal her great idea,

so I came up with my twist.

So here it goes, installment #1 of "dawning java"

My coffee today was plan, folgers, coffee but since I can't handle plain, black coffee I always reach for creamer. My usual is Almond Joy, but today I opted for "fat free, skinny white chocolate mocha" and a drop or {three} of soy milk....

oh.my.lanta!!! 

That coffee was the BOMB!

Starts off the day right (wells sort of starts off)

[BTW...by the time I had my coffee today, I had already ben up for a couple of hours, been to the gym, started laundry &

started my breakfast of..

.:Baked oatmeal:.

This is the recipe I used, but I didn't have nuts so that didn't get it nor did I have chocolate chips.

Nuts aren't my fav, the only nut I might put in would be almonds. I also added apples, it was pretty tasty!]

Ok enough of getting side tracked...

If we were really having coffee I would probably tell you about my day, since I am writing this at almost 11PM this is what you get.

 I did some cleaning & took some photos.

Finally folded & put away clean laundry.

I have been trying some new things with photography.

on Saturday I took some photos in Flint

( & in my opinion)

I thought they were pretty snazzy!

I use my long lense,

look straight into the sun,

make sure the ISO is at lowest,

& the F/stop is like 1/22

& the shutter speed was 1/4000.

I think shooting the sky in these settings

 make it a tad more interesting.

I would probably tell you of my struggles

& ask what yours are.

What is God doing in your life?

I know God is teaching my about humility

& contentment...

Why is it when someone who struggles with those things,

especially in the area of contentment,

people always say..

"be content"

I want to raise my hand & sweetly say

"Um..excuse, that doesn't really help me.

Be content, how do you be content?"

I would love your thoughts on this.

I know contentment isn't being happy about everything,

sometimes I just really need that encouragment.

Be encouraged dear one,

I am seeking Jesus & His heart for me.



Valentines thoughts.

Valentines Day... usually I cry at least once. feel sorry for myself. become mad or angry. day dream myself silly. I have to say, today has been one of the best Valentines Days ever! Before you get all excited...
{CHILL}
Today was a normal, but it was good in the fact that...
I. WAS. NOT. SO. STINKING. EMOTIONAL. 
like I had been ALL last week & ALL weekend.
GLORY!
Honestly it was nice, I got up went to the gym, came home took a shower, got dressed, puttered around read my Bible (not as much as I intended) watched a movie while editing, did a tad of baking, then went to work. Even work has been pretty good.
I am so thankful for today, being a normal day... I came to the realization that today, today I am content in life. I don't know about tomorrow, but today I have reason to smile. Because God loves me and He is faithful.

I was reading a post by another blogger lovely little besos, she was writing about Valentines and this is some of what she said:"Unfortunately, I don't get showered with love from my family either. I come from the type of family where we don't ever say "I love you". Its more of something that is assumed than heard, and the belief is actions are supposed to show someone's love for you. Which is true. I also don't really get treated like a "princess" in my family. Which means I don't get flowers or cards sent to me on this holiday.  I am not trying to have a pity party here. I am just trying to shed some light on why some people consider valentines day a regular day, and why others tend to get bitter. I am not going to lie, I am envious of the many girls that get taken out to dinner by their significant others or flowers sent to them by their families on this day. But I also hope for a future of that type of love in my life."

That is so my same situation. Growing up and still I don't hear "I love you" unless I am in the middle of a heated discusion or we just had a disagreement. Though every year  my mom gets me something on Valentines but it always seems genaric. On Saturday my parents gave me a rose they picked up at the store, I do appreciate that. The thought was nice but it doesn't really mean a whole lot to me. {I don't mean to be ungrateful} when I see it I am just reminded that they picked it up while grocery shopping, so convienant...seems so inpersonal.
I don't like unknowns, or really spur-of-the-moment, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type stuff but I pray that the man I marry someday is romantic, a bit mysterious & spontaneous, smart, frugal but not a tightwad, loveing, kind, compassionate, unselfish but most of all that He loves Jesus above all and strives to please Him in ALL things. (*Gives me a lot to strive for as well, to be all those things and more for him)

Someday I am sure I will have a SUPER extra special Valentines Day but...
I am glad for today, that is was simple.
normal,
& I am content.

BTW something I found really ironic and oddly funny. I was at the gym this morning and one TV was on TLC two "Baby Stories" were on in the time that I was there. The first was about a gay couple who had one child already and was using a surrogate to have another. Their surrogate was one of the guys sister, she was also the surrogate for their first baby. (*I don't know what your views on this are but I found it disgusting & morally wrong. The Bible states marriage unions are one man & one women not two men or two women) {I got all that by just looking at the screen occasionally}
The second story that came on was about a man and women who were heavily involved in their CHRISTIAN church. They prayed on screen with their church and youth group more then once. They were in charge of the youth group and they talked openly of the Lord, their faith and Christianity.
I thought it was oddly ironic how opposite the two episodes were.

Honestly

I am about to break it down, no not dance {my only move is the sprinkler however that is for another day}.
A couple of days ago I posted about an upcoming fast that I am taking part in with my Bible study girls.  I know Biblical fasting is obstaining from food and devoting that time to prayer and seeking God intently.  I wanted to fast from something and do it right but I couldn't think of something that seemed just right.  With every idea that I had cam many excuses why it wouldn't work.  I think a lot of my problem has been discontentment.
 The last few days have been especially hard. Part of my goal for this year is to live with contentment in Jesus Christ. I have really sucked hard core at this the last few weeks. To be honest...

I am NOT content.

I am miserable.

I detest the season I am currently in.

I am angry.

I am irritable,

unhappy,

jealous.

I really believe that God is trying to get my attention, in the area of contentment and jealousy.  I keep hearing things that are happening to other people and it kills me inside because I want what they have. I want that good life, those magical moments...but it doesn't happen. I really don't know how to let go.  For awhile I think it's going well but really it's just a trick, momentary lapse of "control" and it's peaceful so I think I am content. AHHH Oh Jesus help me!

This photo perfectly describes what I feel.

As far as I can see it's just ocean, other then what I am standing on and what is behind me.

I think eventually there is something there maybe. 

I can't get there easily or quickly,

it will take forever.

Alone it is hopeless.

I need to be carried.

I need direction, otherwise I am heading backwards. 

The possibilities are beautiful,

exciting and scary.

No way am I stepping off into this abyss of unknown ahead of me,

not without some help,

guidance,

direction.

If I do....

I.will.sink.

It is foggy, 

I can't see whats ahead,

well after so far.

I am mad,

because I want to be there,

I want to go,

I want to make that step.

But it is like I am glued to where I am,

even though my soul is screaming to go,

dying,

longing to move...

but I can't.

I need a push....

Oh contentment where are you?

Peace, be in my soul.

Awaken me...

to rejoice always,

pray continually 

& give thanks in all circumstances!

Jesus be my guide, 

hold me close.

Open my eyes,

my heart,

my mind.

I want to seek You intently.

3 Good Things

day #36

{3}Good Things Thursday

[1.] Spent time with a good friend of mine. 

[2.] Took pictures, had coffee, went for a walk & had grilled cheese.

[3.] Work was really, really busy so the time passed quickly.

*****

I forget that striving to live "rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances..." isn't easy, nor comfortable. Liveing that piece of Scripture humbles me & makes me cry. I am thankful for Gods grace & mercy to keep working in me & on me when I want to give up.

Work tonight was rough. I was very, very busy, earlier today I had told my friend that I expected things to be calm & dull at work. I should not have said that because it was the exact opposite. I am thankful I didn't have many dramatic things to deal with, just business & a few personal battles. I like being busy because the time seems to pass more quickly. Living out 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always,pray without ceasing,give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."  is not easy, on my way home tonight I was in tears because I felt attacked at different levels. I felt my authority had been undermined. I felt I had to always explain why I did certain things even when I am not making bad decisions.  I felt like I was too nice to people & that I don't have the guts to stick to the guidelines & that people just look at me as spineless. I felt as though some people I work with had made some poor choices in how they had dealt with certain guests & I didn't know what to do about it.... I just cried, ready to give up. I feel like I don't belong there, this is not what I want to do, this is not what I like, I am not comfortable with this.

Then I realized something... God called me to this job, He dropped this opportunity in my lap, literally. I did not have to seek it out, it wasn't my first choice but it was my only idea/option. God worked it out. I would have not ever went for a job like this, not really "up my alley". But God knew that, I know He is teaching me things; & it's taken me WAY out of my comfort zone. No matter what happens...God gets praise. God gets thanksgiving.

He is humbling me, with His grace & mercy...He is working on me.

day #29
What to say for today? Hmmm... Pinterest makes me long to cook like a pro! Not have a normal job & be crafty ALL THE TIME & get paid for it & to have my own b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l. home.{all in good time my dear..in God's time}.

New motto for 2012....{rejoice a.l.w.a.y.s pray c.o.n.t.i.n.u.a.l.l.y give thanks in a.l.l circumstances}

By Gods grace this is how I will live my life, celebrating God's abundant goodness & love. Rejoicing always, praying without ceasing & giving thanks for all things, even when they seem unbareable.

Oh God give me grace & mercy, strength & endurance to live this way.

I don't know what this will be...

day #15

What? day #15? Woot woot! This is a bit of a record! I am half way to my goal of 30 days of blogging!

I am planning to go beyond that.

Soooo.....I love glitter, mostly I love it around Christmas. Other times of the year I am not so glitzy. Honestly my syle & preferances change all the time. I love decorating, organizing, designing & making things beautiful. (*I am about to be really honest) I struggle a lot because I don't have the space to do what I want to do. By space I mean I do not have my own place. I live with my parents, still. So often I am embarressed by that because the fact that I live with my parents when I am 23 makes me feel very lame, forgotten & unimportant. When I was 15 or 18 I thought that by the time I was 23 I would be at least married & maybe I would even have a baby. Obviously that was not Gods plan for me & I know that it is ok. God is working in my life, I know that. To be even more honest, I am glad that I am not currently who I wanted to be when I was 15 or 18, I would have been lame & not happy. God has done some many things in my life to change me, not all traumatic, tragic or major things but with each heartbreak, loss, disappointment He is shaping me to be who He wants me to be, I am glad because I like that person more & more.

Yet even though I know God is at work, I get those feelings. My biggest passion in life is to serve God be a wife/mother & use the abilities & skills God has given me, to serve Him. I don't really want to have a corporate job or a 9-5 job. I would love to work from home/do freelance photography/crafty/artsy/design. I love business stuff, like writing contracts & agreements & spreadsheets & computers (not in a total I'm a geek way, just normal). I am fascinated by the music business & I love church & worship & working with teenagers & womens ministry. I think it would be amazing to get up in front of many people & speak or teach or be in a band (I do not have enough musical ability to be on the stage though)....the really crazy thing about that last statement is: two years ago I would have laughed in your face if you told me I would say that. Anyway, these passions grow & grow, everyday my desire to have a husband, my own home, my own family, gets stronger each day.

Life gets especially challenging around holidays, when decorations go up. My mom & I do not have anywhere near the same style. I have ideas but butting in would not be appropriate, so I will have to wait. My standards of cleanliness are different then every one elses (not only do I live with my parents but also with my brother & sister). I now understand when my mom would complain about how people didn't clean up after themselves...I so get it that now.

Moving out is something I greatly look forward to, sometimes I feel as though if people knew I had been homeschooled, I still live at home & that I am 23 they would look at me in disgust & think "SHE IS A HOMESCHOOLER!" No I am really not... lol

I don't mean to sound like I am complaining or venting again, all of this was in my mind. I am sure God is using this experiance to teach me things & help me grow. He knows when I'll be ready to be a wifey & mother & homemaker...its not my timing, it's His.

"Fear the Lord & he shall give you the desires of your heart" -Psalm 37:4

I want to fear You in all I do, I want to trust You in everything. I don't want any doubts anywhere near me. Make me the women You want me to be, keep my eyes & heart open to what You are showing & teaching me.

I am grateful for...

day #12

1. God & His great goodness, faithfulness, love, provision, protection, I am very grateful to serve a God who is real & true, just & merciful.

2. Gods word & those who teach, explain, understand, claim, preach & live by it.
3. My family, they are supportive & they love me.
4. My health.
5. The jobs that God has provided for me, some He has practical dropped into my lap. I know of people who search & search for a job, they are left searching for a long time yet God has been gracious to me, especially in the area of job hunt.
6. The hope and resurrection from grief, disappointment, loss & heart break that comes with life in Christ.
7. My fabulous friends...God has given me many godly people that I call
8. My Church & the friendships I have, it may not be exactly what I want in a church right now but God is good & uses His people to be a blessing in my life.
9. Godly people God has placed in my life.

10. Greek....I have loved, loved, loved taking Biblical Greek at Great Lakes Christian College. I have made new friends & had new opportunities because of it.
11. a CAR!!!! I just bought a car (by the grace & mercy of God) I am so very thankful for that.
12. Music...I so wish I were a song writer, I have written a few in my day but they aren't fantastic. I love how I can hear a song & think "That is what I wanted to say in a song, wow they did it so much better then I ever could!"
13. Gods heart for me, it is fantastic.
14. Lessons I have learned from heartbreak, disappointment.
15. Creative ideas & thoughts, they are so much fun!
16. Tea, how I adore thee!
17. My new love for coffee, Oh Biggby & Starbucks I adore thee also.
18. Barnes & Noble, a good tea drinking, look @ magazine, hang out place.
19. Music online. S.P.O.T.I.F.Y. you are fantastic!
20. Pictures. I could look at pictures all day...and night, so many beautiful things.
21. My camera & new things to try.
22. Technology...phone, Internet, spend way to much time using it but it is so helpful.
23. Good food! Sushi, chocolate, cheesecake, soup, Panera (I love the jalapeno & cheddar bagel!)

24. Awesome opportunities...

25. Volunteering at Acquire The Fire, such a cool thing & great experience to see teens/young adults & adults worshiping & praising God!
26. Shoot Out in May! (really built my portfolio...to see pics go to my "photography" tab)

27. Lecrae concert in September, by far the B.E.S.T. concert I have ever been to
28. The chance to meet Brandon Heath & Britt Nicole, go to their concert & take photos, which are leading to other opportunities.
29. That I get to work with some of my good friends!
30. My job, I don't love it always, but I work in a Christian environment & that is Christ centered, that is very encouraging. I know that if something is going on in my life they will be a support & encouragement & lift me up in prayer.

31. Etsy/Blogspot/Tumblr...I always find some sort of idea or inspiration.

32. Christian bloggers who are real & legit in their faith & walk with the Lord. I love how diverse those bloggers are, seeing what each of you do gives me something to strive for; to look at who I am & how God made me & finding how I can use that for Him.

33. Those who create Christian media {books, movies, music, magazines, websites, blogs, etc.}

guess what?

Day #11

I am Bell Tire with my dad getting tires & an alignment....on what you ask?
My new car! I am beyond grateful for how God provides for me & my family.

In May my car died :( for about a year I had mechanical issues on & off for a year. Finally in May something happened & I made a decision to have it taken away to the junk yard. Sooo for the last 7 months I have been driving vehicles that are my parents. {I am thankful for them & thier generosity & willingness to work with me & help me out}
In October my sisters car died, so than the serious car search began. I looked on craigslist & dealerships & other online locations. My budget was limited & I wasn't sure what I wanted. My dad has been so patient with me & so helpful. I know very little about cars & what to look for. In my mind I wanted a cute,small car that gets good gas mileage & runs well. As we looked I found some I liked & emailed or called. I tell you what I can spot a fake car ads on Craigslist so fast now! Out of so many emails I sent more than half were fake...I can't believe that people fall for those ads. Throughout the search I have had many disappointments, I would find something & get excited just to be let down. We had found a 2003 red Ford Focus 4 door hatchback & I loved it! My friends dad (body shop mechanic) checked it out & said it was good
& i called the guy saying i was extremely interested. Over the weekend someone else put a deposit on it so come Monday I called & it had sold, talk about disappointing.
Oh by the way this whole time I am sharing a vehicle with my sister.
So we continue to look, find this or that.
At this point I just still really wanted a car like "the one that got away" & I couldn't find one anywhere. So we keep looking find something, go look at it then be disappointed.

But God is faithful in my disappointment, God is good in my discouragement, God is always has a plan when I feel hopeless.

I was honestly starting to think it was never going to happen, that I would be stick in the same position forever. However my timing was not Gods & He did provide in the right time.

Long story short... Found a car on craigslist, sent an email, Dad called, Dad seemed pretty pumped, we went to see it, liked it, put a deposit down, had mechanic look at it 2 days later, some repairs were needed (tires, battery & other things). With the repairs that were needed the car was too much, but we prayed about it & talked to the seller & he reduced the price by $800!

Yesterday we went to get the car, went to the insurance company & Secretary of State, all of that went pretty quickly. So I now own a 2001 Black Ford Focus, 4 door sedan! It is so pretty & I love it.

I am so thankful & excited!

Cookies

day #9

(My mini paper tree)

This morning I did a bit of shopping with my sister, I found two ornaments for my mom. They are snazzy. One a silver 16th note with bells & the other looks like a sock monkey but it has a blue "M" (for MI Wolverines), the body is gray. It goes with the tree decor & its for U of M.

I am made molasses cookies while watching Home Alone 2, reminds me of my childhood (the movie part). When I was a child, Home Alone was on TV all the time during the Christmas season & I hated it because I watched it all the time. The last few years I have been wanting to watch it but couldn't find it anywhere, just Home Alone 3 or 4. I still can't find the original one as a stand alone, it's always in a boxed set...oh well.

I love Christmas time & all the activities that come with it. The last few years I have felt as though I have missed out on so much because I was always working or had things to do. This year my schedule is very different. I made a list {you can see it by scrolling down, it should be near the bottom right, entitled "Things to do before Christmas"}, so far I haven't really done a complete thing yet. I would also like to have something for each letter of the aLpHaBeT.

Mmmm, molasses cookies! I love these!

(Recipe at end of post)

*

I just have to say, God is good. Everyday He is showing my that His timing is right. Currently God is doing some great things, they may be small for some people but for me it's a big deal. I'll post on that when the timing is right. ;)

For now what I can say is that everything that God does is for my benefit.

Prep Time:
10 Min

Cook Time:
10 Min

Ready In:
1 Hr 20 Min

Servings (Help)

USMetricCalculate

Original Recipe Yield 5 dozen

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup margarine, melted
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 cup white sugar

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the melted margarine, 1 cup sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in the molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger; blend into the molasses mixture. Cover, and chill dough for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Roll dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining white sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until tops are cracked. Cool on wire racks.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 120 | Total Fat: 4.7g | Cholesterol: 7mg

(Recipe from allrecipes.com)

Vent

day #8

I work at a homeless shelter for women & children. It is a Christian organization with emloyees who are all believers. We work together to share the gospel, the love of Christ & help these women by meeting their needs. However we have rules, guidelines & we are strict. If they do not follow the rules & guidelines they get a reminder or reprimand depending on the severity of the infraction. When 3 reprimands are received the guest is given a leave notice & can not return for 60 days. Those among other rules are expected to be followed. When each guest comes they read our guidelines & agree to follow the rules we had laid out. Yet everyday guests come to us & complain about something they don't want to do or some issue they have with the rules. Even though they have all read & agreed to follow them.
My compassion for people in need is growing yet I am so frustrated when I constently hear complaints about what is going on at this facility. The majority of the guests seem to think the staff is out to get the & that we want them to be miserable & that we are double standard. Honestly if you don't want to follow the rules, then leave we are not keeping you here. But leaving will have consequences (like not being able to come back for 60 days). The guests seem to think that this is their home, in a way I suppose it is a home of sorts. It is not their home though, if they get to comfortable than why make an effort to get out? Why try to find housing or a job when you can stay here for free as long as you follow a few rules?

This is just me venting. My co-workers & I all love the Lord & we are committed to serving Him. Our goal is to show these ladies the love of Christ, but it is hard when ones level of compassion doesn't go as high as it should. I like working on the family floor much better because I love kids & there isn't as much drama or attitude. My level of compassion is greater for the families, I don't know why...it just is.

Sitting here this afternoon & hearing all the complaining & snarky comments just make me sad. I thought about going to talk to them but I didn't have the right words or heart attitude to start something. What I guess I need to do is pray over the time at work before I start. Commit the time to the Lord & ask that I would be gracious, merciful & compassionate to those I am serving.

God, be merciful to me. My attitude has not been very Christlike this afternoon. Broaden my scope give me a greater compassion & servant attitude. May I serve You with a humble heart. Come & fill this place with Your spirit. Make Yourslef known to these women, that they might see You & know You. That they see & believe Your truth & go Your way.

the church.

day #6

Sunday, I don't really know what to say about today.

It was tiring, fun at moments.

Not very restful.

Church was ok.

I hate that church was just "ok"...

In no way is this a bash against my church, church family or Pastor.

My church (family) is friendly & welcoming...

Yet I go week after week because...

I have friends there &

It's expected of me,

I am a little afraid of leaving because...

I don't want others to think ill of me

& I don't where else I would go to church.

I can't leave without really trying to change things.

Part of my problem might be a heart issue.

Sometimes when I leave my church I don't know why I went,

I hate that. I desire so much to be feed way more then what I am,

but I don't know where to find that spiritual food.

My church is traditional in many ways.

It has many good, talented people;

but yet it seems lacking in passion & vision.

I would love to see a revival spark.

My idea of a good church would be:

-A church that has a mission, as a body unified through Christ they are headed towards a goal that is Biblical, they know their mission & each part of the Body (the church) does their part.

-The leadership is unified, a team that is in tune & walking faithfully with the Lord. They are strong leaders who are passionate about the mission of the church but more importantly, the work for the Kingdom. They show humility, wisdom & discernment through teaching & discipleship to develop holistic, spiritual growth.

-The body of Christ is warm & welcoming, there is fellowship among the believers. They are there for each other to help each other out so no one is in need. They are there to support, edify, encourage, love, serve, disciple, teach & pray for one another.

- Meaningful & inspirational worship that centers on God & develops community. Worship that draws the body of believers to an atmosphere of expectancy & anticipation that God is present.

-The church is growing, there is fruit for the labor & actions of the body of believers. Each believer uses their gifts to meet the needs of those in the church body & also in the community.

(*ideas were found at: http://www.bobyoungresources.com/articles/characteristics-effective-church.pdf)

I don't know if a church like this exists or if I included everything I would want to see. I just think that we as the body of Christ tend to take "church" & make it something that we just "do". It becomes about customs & traditions rather than our relationship with Christ.

We get so excited about what new worship song the praise team will play rather than preparing ourselves to be drawn to the feet of our Savior. We worry about social standing & popularity, who can out do whom. I think it is time for the church to step back, take a look at their body & see if each part is doing the job it was made for.

"Oh God, move in this place. Work in my heart, open my eyes to the things I don't see. Show me how to love like you have loved me. Let the church arise to the calling that You have placed on us as followers of You. I want to go deeper! Take me down off the surface & help me to dive deeper into my relationship with You. I want to know You better. I want every moment of my life to bring you glory.

God, I give you my thoughts.

God, I give you my actions.

God, I give you my future & I trust that You know best.

That You have a plan for me that was carefully crafted for me.

Help to give each part of every day to You for Your work to be done.

May I be a light to someone each day.

Give me the desire to seek renewal & revival.

Give me a new heart for Your Word, Your work & Your people.

Change my heart attitude, may I do everything to please You & bring you glory.

Let the foundation of my life be made strong through You.

Be my cornerstone & my strength."

*1 Corinthians 3:10-15/